Refrigerator equipment



Dec. 13, 1932.

- E. A. HAMBURG REFRIGERATOR EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 7. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I flINVENTOR i Dec. 13, 1932. E. A. HAMBURG REFRIGERATOR EQUIPMENT g Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7. 1931 Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELMER A. HAMBURG, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM OI HAMBURG BROTHERS, OE PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, COMPOSED 0F ELMER A. HAMBURG, LOUIS HAMBURG, AND JOSEPH HAMBURG REFRIGERATOR EQUIPMENT Application filed August 7, 1931. Serial No. 555,650.

The invention relates to a container which is particularly adapted for maintaining a store of cool drinking water in a refrigerator. The objects of the invention are to provide a liquid container which may be utilized in either mechanical or ice-refrigerated chambers; to provide a container of such structure as to make the water readily accessible to the user without removing the container from the refrigerated chamber; and to provide a container which is so designed as to require in the refrigerator chamber a minimum of shelf-space per unit of liquid-storing ca pacity. Additionally, I have in mind the provision of a container in which a condition of sanitation is readily maintaned-a container in which air circulation, and the tainting of water with the flavor of other things in the cold chamber, is inhibited. Consistent with economy, I aim to provide apparatus of this nature.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I' is a perspective view, through the open door of a conventional mechanical refrigerator, showing the container of my invention as it is adapted to be effectively organized therewith Fig. II is a perspective view of the container; and Figs. III and IV are cross sectional views, taken on the plane IIIIII of Fig. II, showing the valved outlet of the container in alternate positions of service.

Referring to Fig. II of the drawings, the container comprises a rectangular bodv 1 which is advantageously formed of sheet metal, coated with vitreous enamel, or with a plating of chromium or nickel. The body 1 is of relatively narrow, tall and eongate dimensions; one of the narrow and elongate faces comprises the bottom 2 of the container; the other comprises the top 3; one of the narrow and tall faces provides the front 4, while the two tall and elongate faces 5 and 6 form the sides of the container. The relative dimensions of the container are of importance, as will presently appear.

A valved outlet 7 is provided in the front 4 of the container. This valved outlet comprises a'body which is secured in an appropriate opening in the front wall 4; the body 70 may be threaded at 71, and secured in threaded engagement with Wall 4, or the body 70 may be soldered or welded in place in such'wall. Extending transversely into the body 70 is a tubular valve member 72; the

member 72 is revoluble in body 70, and in known manner a resilient keeper (washers 73, screw 74, and spring 75) retains the member 72 within-the body 70. The body 70 is provided with a passage 76 which is in communication with the interior of the container, and the passage 77 of valve member 72 is adapted to be brought into communication with the passage 76. That is to say, the valve member 72 is provided with a handle 78, to effect its rotation; an orifice 79 cordingly, when the handle is swung to a substantially horizontal position (full line position, Fig. II), liquid will flow under its own head from the tank or container 1, through passages 76, 77 and 80, and will be discharged from the distal end of handle 78. Upon swinging the handle upward, against the face 4 of the tank, the orifice 79 will be shifted out of registrv with passage 76, communication between passages 76 and 77 will be blanked, and flow of liquid from the container will be shut-oil. As will be described, the structure of this valved outlet is of particular value when the container is arranged in combination with a shelf and refrigerating equipment.

Fig. I illustrates a typical refrigerating chamber, a chamber provided with shelves 8 and 9, and heat-absorbing equipment 10. In this case, the heat-absorbing or refri eration equipment is diagrammatically indicated as a mechanical refrigerating unit. It will be perceived that the dimensions of the (Fig. III) to its open container lend themselves particularly 'well to the associated parts. That is, the container rests upon its long, narrow bottom upon the shelf 8; the front face 4 of the container terminates adjacent the forward edge of the shelf (8), and the side 5 of the container extends in proximity to the cooling unit 10, presenting a relatively large heat-exchange surface thereto. It is a fact that, due to the dimensional proportions of the container, maximum capacitv for liquid, and maximum cooling effect on the liquid, is had at a minimum expense of available space within the refrigerating chamber.

Ready accessibility is an advantage of my apparatus. To obtain a drink of cold water,

a person merely opens the door (not shown) of the refrigerating chamber, and swings the handle 78 to its illustrated position. In this position the handle 78 overhangs, or extends outwardly of, the edge of shelf 8; the valved outlet 9 is opened, and water is discharged into vessel 11. When suflicient water has been withdrawn from the container, the hamdle is returned to its position against the face 4 of the container; accordingly, the outlet 7 is closed, and all parts of the container are so positioned that the door of the refrigerating chamber may be closed. Nothing within the I refrigerator need be removed,.to obtain a supply of drinking water, it being necessarymerely to open the door and swing the handle 78 downward. Indeed, the advantages of a specialized, costly, refrigerated drinking fountain are obtained through the use of my inexpensive, auxiliary equipment for a household refrigerating unit. A

The top 3 of the container is provided with an opening through which to charge water or other beverages; a cover 12 normally is positioned to close the top opening of the container.

As a matter of experience it has been found that a simplified cover is insuflicient to prevent the beverage in the container from being equipment extending upward from the shelf, which container comprises an independent unit tank structure adapted to seat freely on said shelf, the tank being of relatively narrow, tall and elongate dimensions, one of the narrow and elongate faces therefor comprising the bottom of said structure, and the face'of thetank opposite said bottom including a removable cover, one of the narrow and tall faces of said container constituting its front face, the container being adapted to seat on said shelf with its front face adjacent the edge of the shelf and with one of its elongate and tall faces adjacent said refrigerating equipment, said front face being provided with a valved outlet which includes a hollow, swingable handle which is adapted to be swung to a position overhanging the edge of said shelf, and in such position to effect an opening of said valved outlet, whereby liquid is discharged from the container by way of said hollow handle, and said handle being further adapted to be swung upward to a position against said face, whereby said valved outlet is closed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

y ELMER A. HAMBURG.

coming tainted with the flavors of other foods within the refrigerated chamber. I have discovered that circulation of air within the refrigerated chamber, and particularly the air above the liquid within the container, is a factor tending to cause such tainting of the liquid, and, in preventing the circulationof air within the container 1, the objection 'is overcome. Structure affording this advantage comprises an inturned lip 13, extending peripherally of the o ening in the top of the container (cf. Fig. II Indeed, the inturned lip may comprise, as in this case it is shown,

' a continuation of the side walls of the container. So; circulation of air is inhibited within the container, and advantages of the nature indicated are obtained.

I claim as my invention: I A liquid container for installation in a refrigerator including a shelf and refrigerat- 

